Office Hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Permitting hours are 8:00 am - 4:00pm
Plan Review is closed on Wednesdays
Inspectors can be reached between 8:00 am - 8:30 am and 4:00 - 4:30 pm

City Holiday Schedule

Request a Citizen's toolkit by calling (561) 243-7231, it contains information such as utility billing rates, school information, the City's annual report, garbage and recycling information, a map of the City and much much more.

The Resident's Academy us the course for you!  The Resident's Academy will provide you with pertinent information and materials that will enable you to better understand how City departments that make up our local government serve our community.  The information provided will also help you successfully navigate and unravel the "red tape" syndrome of what can be a complex system of government operations and services.  The course is given twice a year in the spring and fall for six consecutive weeks.

Check with the Building Department to determine if a permit is needed.  A permits is good for six months from the date of issuance or the last inspection.

Construction Work Hours:

Work Hours and the time that supplies/materials may be delivered shall be Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Work is prohibited on Sundays and the following holidays:  New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

A tree removal permit is required for the removal of all trees, except on properties where a single family residence was built before 1990. Permits may be issued if the tree is diseased, or if it is currently causing damage to structures on the property.  The permit must be submitted by a Tree Trimmer or Arborist, with a current City of Delray Beach occupational license.  City staff will review the request and if the permit is approved, a replacement tree may be required, depending on the requirements stated on the 'landscape plan of record'.

No.  Licensed contractors must pull permits for all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work.

The Building Department has FEMA Maps and can usually determine if the property is located in a flood zone.

If you know your zoning district, you can find the setbacks at Zoning Matrices.

Homeowners and mortgage companies should have a copy of the survey with the closing documents or the Building Department may have a copy on microfilm.

In most cases, plans must be signed and sealed by a design professional.

Suspected Code violations can be reported via telephone by calling 243-7219, by visiting our offices at City Hall from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday thru Friday and by e-mail addressed to:  codeenforcment@mydelraybeach.com.

In general, the answer to the above question is that Code Enforcement can not handle those matters.  Code Enforcement personnel handle violations of City ordinances only.  If a situation fits within the scope of a City ordinance, we can usually handle the problem.

Animal Control personnel handle domestic animals (cats, dogs) running at large or damaging property, noisy domestic animals, injured wildlife, and animal abuse.

In addition, unwanted domestic animals are accepted at the City's kennel.

Unfortunately, the City does not have an adoption plan and can not handle most wildlife related problems.  All animals trapped by or surrendered to the City, unless claimed, are transferred to Palm Beach County.

City curbside rollout garbage carts are furnished to customers who live west of the Intracoastal, except for those who received back door or curbside bag service.  Recycling bins are furnished to all residents who receive back door, curbside, or rear door service.

Please call 243-7212 to arrange for delivery of a City roll out garbage cart or recycling bins.

Boundary information can be found by calling the School District of Palm Beach County at (561) 434-8100 or by checking their website at http://www.palmbeach.k12.fl.us This web page can retrieve the information by street address, development or school.

No, an application can be picked up at one of the two non-profit agencies that partner with the City of Delray Beach.  The agency can explain  the process and requirements of the First-time Homebuyer's Program.  Contact the Delray Beach Community Development Corporation (CDC) at (561) 266-9840 or the the Center for Technology, Enterprise and Development (TED) at (561) 265-3790.

You can come in to the Community Development Office located at 100 NW 1st Avenue or call the department directly at (561) 243-7280.

The owner does not contribute towards certain rehabilitation programs.  The funds used to rehabilitate the home are given in the form of a forgivable grant.  A lien is placed on the home for seven (7) years for costs under $17,500 and fifteen (15) years for costs over $17,500.  A percentage is written off every year, but if the owner sells the home before the time period, the remaining funds must be repaid.

If you engage or manage any business, profession, or perform any business within our City limits, you need to purchase a license. If your business has more than one location, a separate license is required for each location.  A separate license is issued for each use performed within your business.

You may apply for an Occupational License between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, in the Building Department of City Hall, located at 100 NW 1st Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33444.  Our phone number is (561) 243-7209.

Home-based businesses are permitted, if the home is strictly for phone, mail, and bookkeeping work.  Not permitted is any business which employs people or attracts customers or vehicular traffic to the home.  The home-based business must be so unobtrusive that the residents are unaware of its existence.

If you are applying for a home-based Occupational License, a Home Occupation Affidavit (69k) signed by the business owner must be submitted with your application.

The cost of an occupational license is $136.00 for each type of business license.  There are a few exceptions, however.  The exceptions can be viewed by downloading Occupational License Category Listings 

All licenses are issued for a period of 1 year on a fiscal year basis that begins on October 1 each year, with all licenses expiring on September 30th the following year.

The occupational license tax is discounted on April 1st to $68.00 which is half the scheduled fee for businesses beginning in the middle of the fiscal year.

Services or businesses that are located in other cities, but conduct work within the City of Delray Beach (e.g., lawn services, taxi companies) are not required to have a license from Delray Beach, however, they must register for $10.00 with the Occupational License office.

Occupational licenses are renewed annually on September 30th of each year.  The fiscal year runs from October 1st  thru September 30th.

As a courtesy, the City mails renewal reminders in August.  However, if the renewal notice is not received, it is the responsibility of the licensee to ensure that their license is renewed prior to September 30^th of each year.  Failure to receive a renewal reminder notice will not exempt licensee from paying any penalties for late payment.

  PENALTY SCHEDULE – PERCENTAGE ADDED TO TOTAL RENEWAL TAX

OCTOBER          NOVEMBER          DECEMBER          JANUARY

10%                       15%                         20%                       25%